(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 9)—The McKendree University football team produced its highest scoring output in four years as the Bearcats rolled to a 62-34 victory at home on Senior Day against Quincy University.
 
McKendree registered season-highs in both points (62) and total offense (567 yards) on the way to fourth win in its last five games. The Bearcats also tied a program record with three blocked punts – all in the first half – one of which was returned for a touchdown during a 35-point outburst in the second quarter. McKendree put up 35 points in the period on its way to a 41-7 halftime lead.
 
With the win, McKendree improves to 5-5 on the year and 3-3 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Bearcats will wrap up the 2019 regular season next Saturday (Nov. 16) at Missouri S&T. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Rolla, Mo.
 
"I thought everything came together to make this a great day all around," said McKendree head coach Mike Babcock. "We had big plays offensively and were able to move the ball consistent. I thought our defense came up big when they needed to during the game, and our special teams play continues drive home the point that it takes all three phases of the game to win. Most importantly, I thought our guys kept their emotions in check on a day like today to help send our seniors out on the right note at home."
 
In addition to honoring 12 seniors in a special pre-game ceremony, the Bearcats honored University president Dr. James Dennis during pre-game and halftime activities. Dr. Dennis announced earlier this year he would be retiring as McKendree's president at the conclusion of the 2019-20 academic year.
 
"Dr. Dennis means so much to so many people at McKendree, and I felt like this was a tremendous way to say thank you," said Babcock. "He's definitely a fan of all of our teams, and there is no bigger fan of McKendree athletics."
 
Against Quincy, freshman quarterback Turner Pullen (Shelbyville, IL/Shelbyville) threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns, going 15-of-21 on the day. Senior wide receiver Matt Cole (Chicago, IL/Curie), who had a 69-yard touchdown catch in the second-quarter outburst, added another page to his personal record book. With the TD reception, Cole became the Bearcats' single-season record holder for receiving yards, boosting his total to 859. He eclipsed the old mark of 837 yards set by Dewayne Gatti in 2013.
 
McKendree also had strong performances in the rushing department as freshman Jayden Mitchell (St. Louis, MO/Parkway Central) led the way with 84 yards on 12 carries while junior Jace Franklin contributed 81 yards on 21 attempts. Sophomore wide receiver Steven Towns, Jr. (Normal, IL/Normal Community), grabbed a game-high seven passes for 110 yards, including a 10-yard scoring catch on the first play of the second quarter.
 
After junior Josh Lazaro (Bradley, IL/Bradley-Bourbonnais) and freshman Ryan Kastl (Washington, IL/Washington) each kicked field goals to take McKendree to a 6-0 lead after 15 minutes of play, the Bearcats blew the game wide open in the second quarter. Towns' TD grab pushed the lead to 13-0 before Franklin scored on a three-yard burst up the middle just under four minutes later.
 
Quincy (4-6, 1-5 GLVC) drove deep into McKendree territory on the ensuing drive, but the Hawks were stopped on a fourth-and-one at the Bearcats' 31-yard line. On the next play, Turner threw a screen pass to Cole, who broke a tackle and then weaved his way downfield for his 69-yard TD catch.
 
McKendree, which blocked two punts in the first quarter, then equaled the record in style following the Hawks' next drive. Sophomore defensive back Devon Myles (Chicago, IL/Westinghouse College Prep) broke through and blocked a punt at the Quincy 21-yard line. Senior linebacker Darnell Harris, Jr. (San Diego, CA/Kearney), scooped up the loose ball and raced into the end zone to stretch the margin to 34-0.
 
Quincy scored moments later before Pullen capped the scoring frenzy for McKendree with a four-yard quarterback sneak with 35 seconds left before intermission to send the Bearcats off the field with a 41-7 halftime advantage.
 
The Bearcats then took the second-half kickoff and built its largest lead of the day at 48-7 when freshman wide receiver Jacob Bachman (Eureka, IL/Eureka) caught a pass from Pullen and raced down the left sideline for a 50-yard touchdown. Pullen later added his second scoring run of the day from a yard out before Mitchell closed out the Bearcats' offensive explosion with an eight-yard scoring run with 8:14 to play.
 
The 62 points scored by McKendree is the highest scoring output for the program since a 65-0 win at Leemon Field over Lincoln University (Mo.) on Oct. 31, 2015.
 
Senior linebacker Ricco Gipson, Jr. (Godfrey, IL/Alton), showed the way on defense for McKendree with nine tackles, while senior linebacker Jason Bennett, Jr. (Peoria, IL/Peoria), added seven stops as well as his team-best fourth interception of the season. Seniors Kennith Wilson (Chicago, IL/Simeon) and Michael Smith (Smithton, IL/Freeburg) each matched Bennett with seven stops against the Hawks.
 
Along with Cole, Gipson, Harris, Bennett, Wilson and Smith, McKendree honored fellow seniors Kyle Harris (Chicago, IL/King College Prep), Jordan Miller (Chicago, IL/Fond du Lac), Savon Tucker (St. Louis, MO/Hazelwood East), Quinn Polaski (Homer Glen, IL/Lockport Township), Dustin Logan (Tennessee, IL/Bushnell-West Prairie) and Peyton Renken (Nashville, IL/Nashville) prior to kickoff.